The Redefining of the three 'Rs'
New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Page: B3
Section: News
Byline: HERB DUNCAN The Silent majority
"Schools act as magnets in attracting young families and children that Rejuvenate, Revitalize and Renew city neighbourhoods.-" Harold Phalen, educator
Mr. Phalen's comment is supported by more than 45 years of holding numerous positions in the field of education, but does it pass the consensus test?
Let's start with the following excerpt from the provincial education plan, When Kids Come First: "What is a Community School? A Community School fosters relationships that transform a traditional school into a centre of opportunity for children, youth, families and communities. When a community school is established, parents, business and community members work in partnership with educators to support schools as centres of learning for their communities by leveraging the physical, intellectual and cultural resources in the community around them. A community school would act to strengthen the sense of community by serving as a hub of community activity and development."
Mr. Phalen and the province of New Brunswick seem to share the same conclusion and values. Read on"¦
* N.B. news release Dec. 10, 2007 QUISPAMSIS (CNB) - As part of the When Kids Come First education plan, an additional 13 anglophone sector schools have been designated community schools, Education Minister Kelly Lamrock announced today. A community school encourages the community to become more active in the life of a school and in assisting kids to learn. It also helps kids to develop a sense of belonging and commitment to their community.
"Engaging communities and partners in improving schools and academic achievement is essential to the success of building the best education system in the country," Lamrock said. "Community groups, businesses, schools, teachers and parents have all recognized the importance each can play in providing hands- on learning experiences for children in their own community."
Community schools use community resources such as volunteer groups, parents, public services and recreational and cultural opportunities to turn a school into a centre of opportunity for children, youth, families and communities before, during and after school hours.
Interesting stuff, eh?
What's also interesting is that to date, 30 schools have received the designation as community schools. Hazen White-St. Francis School and Lorne Middle School, both in school District 8, are two of those schools.
We are making real progress, right?
We were, until District 8 proposed reorganization of the northern peninsula schools last September that would result in the closure of Hazen White and Lorne Middle schools and the expanded use of Millidgeville North School.
The consolidation would save the Department of Education a million dollars, we're told. The district education council would also provide an opportunity for presentations supporting or opposing the reorganization.
What happened to When Kids Come First? The District 8 proposal represents an extreme contradiction to the Department of Education's rationale and objectives as defined in the community schools' strategy.
Please continue"¦
* January 15 2009 SAINT JOHN - Telegraph-Journal - The fate of Lorne and Hazen White-St. Francis schools now lies in the hands of Education Minister Kelly Lamrock. The District 8 education council voted unanimously Wednesday night to close the two schools as a result of declining enrolments and transfer the students to Millidgeville North and Princess Elizabeth schools. In a twist of irony, the two schools now being considered for closure were made community schools by the education minister nearly two years ago, giving them more money and access to community resources to help improve conditions in their troubled neighbourhoods...
Forgive my caustic comment but does the left hand know what the right hand is doing at the Department of Education? First you identify the critical importance that community schools play in building healthy neighbourhoods and spend two years investing in the strategy, only to get a ridiculous recommendation to shut down the community schools. How bright is destroying the cornerstone or hub of the community?
Any decision to close Hazen White and Lorne schools is shortsighted, regressive and will inflict social and financial damage on communities in the process of rebuilding that will be several times greater the million dollars "saved."
The challenge is now before the citizens of Saint John, the businesses, the mayor, the ward councillors, all MLAs, community policing, the Human Development Council and the outstanding PALs success story: Send a message to the minister of education that we must work together to find an alternative solution that will allow Hazen White and Lorne schools to remain open, while meeting the Department of Education's budget objectives.
Herb Duncan is a Saint John businessman who has followed city issues for more than three decades. He can be reached by email at duncan. herb@telegraphjournal.com. His column appears on Wednesday and Saturday.
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